Feb 9, 2024, 12:35 am
Recent experiences with SSSS for the UA traveler?
Nov 10, 2022, 9:08 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,890
I've only ever had SSSS to US, even though I believe it can happen both ways. The thoroughness of the search depends on where you are. Once you get to US no difference, except you probably won't be able to get precheck back on connecting BP. Yes, the suppression of digital BP is related to SSSS. Although my memory is once you board the flight with the SSSS (i.e. once that coupon is lifted), you could get it by redoing check-in. Have you tried that?
Getting it once is nothing to fuss about, just annoying. Usually your next trip will be fine. If you get it, say three times in a row, then perhaps time to write in for redress.
thread: Recent experiences with SSSS for the UA traveler?
Getting it once is nothing to fuss about, just annoying. Usually your next trip will be fine. If you get it, say three times in a row, then perhaps time to write in for redress.
thread: Recent experiences with SSSS for the UA traveler?
My search was about as thorough as it gets. Everything was taken out and laid on the table. The agent swabbed everything. I even saw that tool (don't know what it's called) touch the cash in my wallet. How do I redo the check-in now? I don't see it in the app.
Nov 10, 2022, 9:13 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
I'm nowhere near the US yet. I'm still somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. You know what's crazy? I was reading a fellow FTer's post about getting SSSS at SIN and 24 hours later, I get hit with it.
My search was about as thorough as it gets. Everything was taken out and laid on the table. The agent swabbed everything. I even saw that tool (don't know what it's called) touch the cash in my wallet. How do I redo the check-in now? I don't see it in the app.
My search was about as thorough as it gets. Everything was taken out and laid on the table. The agent swabbed everything. I even saw that tool (don't know what it's called) touch the cash in my wallet. How do I redo the check-in now? I don't see it in the app.
In the app if you don't see the button for check-in, initiate it manually by tapping the three-dots 'more' (or I think hamburger bar on android), then scroll to 'check-in', then type in the confirmation/name.
Nov 10, 2022, 9:14 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Golden, CO USA
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
After the initial 9/11 frenzy, , the “”SSSS” mark of the beast seems to to show up up randomly for inbound to the US flights. I travel to the Middle East a number of times a year and I’d guess I get it maybe once every year or two but still quite random. Once you clear the extra security at the departure airport, I’ve never had it appear on another continuing flight boarding pass and never have I been questioned entering the US at Immigrations.
Unless you are flagged for some reason, I’d chalk this up to an entirely random event and consider it a minor inconvenience.
DEN
Unless you are flagged for some reason, I’d chalk this up to an entirely random event and consider it a minor inconvenience.
DEN
Nov 10, 2022, 9:19 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,890
I just had SSSS on my 4/19 flight from CDG to SFO. As soon as I realized I felt utter dread since the last time I had this (2018 GRU to EWR), the screening took 30+ minutes and I was last on the plane despite being 1K.
This time I arrived at the gate, and there was a GS agent (golden scarf) and I checked in with her, told her I was 1K and had SSSS, and confirmed that secondary screening would be on the jet bridge. Just asking this was enough for her to offer to start the screening immediately before boarding began so I could pre-board. Screening was very quick and I was the first on the plane. I think this is the absolute best possible outcome. This may be my best United experience in the 5 years I've been flying with them 😅
What is strange is I've only been flagged for SSSS on UA flights, never on any ANA, LH, EVA, or PAL flights.
This time I arrived at the gate, and there was a GS agent (golden scarf) and I checked in with her, told her I was 1K and had SSSS, and confirmed that secondary screening would be on the jet bridge. Just asking this was enough for her to offer to start the screening immediately before boarding began so I could pre-board. Screening was very quick and I was the first on the plane. I think this is the absolute best possible outcome. This may be my best United experience in the 5 years I've been flying with them 😅
What is strange is I've only been flagged for SSSS on UA flights, never on any ANA, LH, EVA, or PAL flights.
I won the SSSS lotto a few times on international trips (FWIW, always on the return side of the equation (CDG-ORD and GRU-ORD)). The worst part was missing the Pre-Check clearance on the domestic connection.
I always hold my breath when checking in for my return flight to the US; Lady Luck was on my side today (no SSSS on FRA-SFO for tomorrow, 4/22)!
I always hold my breath when checking in for my return flight to the US; Lady Luck was on my side today (no SSSS on FRA-SFO for tomorrow, 4/22)!
Yes when I had it at SIN it was similar, open everything, swab every zipper, etc. At FRA it was pretty painless.
In the app if you don't see the button for check-in, initiate it manually by tapping the three-dots 'more' (or I think hamburger bar on android), then scroll to 'check-in', then type in the confirmation/name.
In the app if you don't see the button for check-in, initiate it manually by tapping the three-dots 'more' (or I think hamburger bar on android), then scroll to 'check-in', then type in the confirmation/name.
After the initial 9/11 frenzy, , the “”SSSS” mark of the beast seems to to show up up randomly for inbound to the US flights. I travel to the Middle East a number of times a year and I’d guess I get it maybe once every year or two but still quite random. Once you clear the extra security at the departure airport, I’ve never had it appear on another continuing flight boarding pass and never have I been questioned entering the US at Immigrations.
Unless you are flagged for some reason, I’d chalk this up to an entirely random event and consider it a minor inconvenience.
DEN
Unless you are flagged for some reason, I’d chalk this up to an entirely random event and consider it a minor inconvenience.
DEN
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 10, 2022 at 10:28 am Reason: merge consecutive posts by same member
Nov 10, 2022, 9:35 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
I do believe you misapprehend how this part works: overlap between SSSS and legitimate security concern is vanishingly small.
Nov 10, 2022, 10:35 am
#36
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,777
I was hit with SSSS on UA 59 FRA-SFO last month after connecting from MXP on LH. No history travel to "high risk" areas. It was more like a manual non-PreCHeck screening -- tool maybe 3 minutes
As SSSS is not determined by UA, discussion on why, is best in 'SSSS' on boarding pass - The "Policy Debate" version in Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate
and Why did I get the dreaded SSSS despite my GE/Pre✓/Nexus status? [merged threads]
and Why did I get the dreaded SSSS despite my GE/Pre✓/Nexus status? [merged threads]
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 10, 2022 at 11:55 am Reason: another link
Nov 10, 2022, 11:24 am
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I was hit with SSSS on UA 59 FRA-SFO last month after connecting from MXP on LH. No history travel to "high risk" areas. It was more like a manual non-PreCHeck screening -- tool maybe 3 minutes
As SSSS is not determined by UA, discussion on why, is best in 'SSSS' on boarding pass - The "Policy Debate" version in Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate
As SSSS is not determined by UA, discussion on why, is best in 'SSSS' on boarding pass - The "Policy Debate" version in Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate
Nov 10, 2022, 11:29 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,216
It’s a similar experience leaving the US (got it at ORD once), but the checks all happen at TSA checkpoint rather than at the gate. They also seem to quadruple check that you got screened properly (marks on the BP, stickers, BP checked at gate multiple times, etc)
I had a string of four or five SSSS in a row and then got a redress number. Pretty minimal since then.
I had a string of four or five SSSS in a row and then got a redress number. Pretty minimal since then.
Nov 10, 2022, 11:44 am
#40
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,122
Nov 10, 2022, 11:57 am
#41
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,777
There is a formal Redress process if SSSS occurs too often, I would not bother for an occasional incident
Most international travels will at times be hit with SSSS but those that are frequently hit, the Redress process can help/
Most international travels will at times be hit with SSSS but those that are frequently hit, the Redress process can help/
Nov 10, 2022, 2:23 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,890
Nov 10, 2022, 3:02 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,279
Nov 10, 2022, 8:10 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,890